The Kennet and Avon Canal : Hiking the full canal from Reading to Bristol plus 20 day walks

This iconic route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol's vibrant Floating Harbour, offering a unique blend of industrial heritage, waterways, nature, historic towns and rural landscapes.

This comprehensive two-part walking guide combines complete coverage of the full canal path with a selection of 20 shorter day walks exploring the best sections and surroundings. Whether you're planning to walk the canal end-to-end or enjoy a series of rewarding excursions, this guide provides clear directions, practical insight and inspirational highlights for every stage and outing.

What's included: The 152km canal path from Reading to Bristol described in seven manageable stages with step-by-step guidance for navigation along towpaths, locks, aqueducts and canal towns — ideal for a week-long break. Twenty circular day walks ranging from approximately 7 to 15km (4¼–9 miles) that take in the canal's most scenic and historic sections, perfect for half-day excursions. 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, downloadable GPX files and detailed route descriptions for every walk and canal stage. Easy access points from towns including Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol. Highlights include Crofton Pumping Station, the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the ornate aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Cotswolds National Landscape.

From tranquil towpaths winding through riverside meadows to the engineering marvels of lock flights and aqueducts, the Kennet and Avon Canal invites walkers to immerse themselves in southern England's scenery and heritage. With this guidebook, you can explore the canal at your own pace, enjoying hidden corners, historic towns, and the ever-changing landscapes along this classic inland waterway.